As a Catholic, I'm often baffled by other Christians who base their faith purely off personal interpretation of the Bible as the be-all-end-all proof for everything under the sun (which is what I mean by Sola Scriptura).

I understand the need to figure out what's going on in the bible and the need to live your life according to wisdom of the prophets and saints and especially heed the words of Jesus. But where did the idea come from that everyone can interpret the bible for themselves? Is this just a common Catholic prejudice or a misunderstanding?

There are some great answers here regarding Sola Scriptura that pre-date the edits focusing the question on individual interpretation of the Bible. It might be wise to roll back this question, and clarify it to be about Sola Scriptura in particular (so that the answers remain applicable and available for reference), then start a new question regarding individual Biblical interpretation.
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HedgeMageAug 24 '11 at 13:17

@flimzy, Hedge - yeah, this question isn't about the Doctrine of Sola Scriptura. The edits you proposed would be better off in an answer refuting my premise. If you want to ask that particular question, go ahead.
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Peter TurnerAug 24 '11 at 13:34

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@Peter Turner: I'm not sure I completely agree... Having a title that doesn't match the actual question makes searching harder. Then again, I don't know what the best course of action is.
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FlimzyAug 28 '11 at 6:13

The title is -definitely- misleading as to what you were really asking and causes a lot confusion. I cannot ask the question "Why is the sky blue?" and then say "and by 'sky' I mean clouds" and still read a whole bunch of answers explaining why they sky is blue. Stupid example, but I'm not sure how else to explain this. If Peter Turner refuses to edit, a mod should do something about this. (And now that I realized the true question I cannot even undo my upvote.)
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felideonSep 2 '11 at 1:40

Check out 2 Peter 1:20 "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." (KJV)
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user23Sep 4 '11 at 4:00

11 Answers
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The origin of 'sola scriptura' as a formal term comes from the Reformation, and has only an a posteriori justification in the scriptural text.

It may mean any of the following:

Scripture is the only source for Christian teaching, morality, etc

Scripture is the only real 'words of God'

Christians do not need outside sources to interpret scripture

Luther presented it as an argument when the Roman Church at the time used its position as Magestierium to justify commanding things which at least ostensibly were against the words of scripture and quite frankly, against moral sensibility of the time.

In Luther's time it simply meant that a believer did not need the Church's approval to read the scripture, that a properly trained believer needed only the scripture to understand the faith. This did not at the time presume that any person anywhere could just pick up a bible and instantly understand the faith and be a Christian.

Traditionally, the Church was considered 'the Pillar and Ground of Truth', but also, 'All Scripture is God Breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting...' and you also had 'what we have handed down to you in word and epistle.' (kergyma) Therefore, there were always multiple sources. Sola Scriptura emerges as an attempt to reposition the authority of scripture in an era in which Church had become really the only authority, at least in Luther's view.

Sola Scriptura is well defined as scripture as the sole infallible rule for faith and practice. See the WCF, 1689 LBCF, HC, near any confession of the mainline Protestant churches. Please consider using this definition to tailor your response.
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samMay 28 '12 at 19:26

I believe I covered that in pt 1: 'Scripture is the only source for Christian teaching, morality...'
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user304Jun 2 '12 at 2:11

As I understand it, the term Sola Scriptura isn't about personal interpretation so much as it refers to a closed canon, the notion that the Bible is complete and contain all necessary knowledge for salvation, and that no other words from any other source can legitimately be added to it and hold canonical status alongside the Bible.

As for its basis, there really isn't one. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that the Bible is complete or closed. (This is partially because the collection of individual works known today as "The Bible" wasn't actually compiled into its present form until centuries after the last of the individual works was written!) The common justification that Revelation 22: 18-19 prohibits "adding to or taking away from" the Bible is clearly invalid in light of this, even before you consider that Revelation was actually written before John's other works, including the Gospel of John itself, and that extremely similar language is found in Deuteronomy chapter 4. (Interpreted literally, that would invalidate the vast majority of the Bible, including the entire New Testament!)

Nowhere in any actual revelation or the writings of any prophet or Apostle does it say anything even resembling "Thus saith the Lord, my words are at an end." The concept emerged during the Reformation as a counter to Catholic traditional teachings that were not found in the Bible and, in the Reformers' view at least, directly contradicted teachings that were found in the Bible. It's a useful rhetorical device, but it is not itself a scriptural doctrine.

In fact, when you look at the history presented in the Bible itself, the concept of a closed canon is always associated with apostate groups. The Samaritans and the Saducees both held positions that diminished or invalidated (to different degrees) the prophets after Moses. Likewise, the Jews in the New Testament time refused to accept the new writings of Jesus's Apostles, and created the Masoretic Text (the basis for the modern Old Testament canon) as a closed work, stating that this was "The Scriptures" and nothing else could hold that status. Sound familiar?

Sola Scriptura really isn't an issue with the canon, and thus your statement that it has no biblical basis is off-base. (With apologies for the pun.) There is strong Scriptural support for Scripture being the thing that we base all our understanding of theology and model our lives around. I would point somebody to the idea of Sola Scriptura if they were trying to persuade me with a "logical" argument that could not be defended from Scripture, not if they were trying to convince me about the canonicity of some apocryphal text.
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Caleb♦Aug 25 '11 at 9:21

"the thing that we base"? Do you mean "the thing that we should/must base"? Because as it reads now, it doesn't make sense. Oh, and "idea" sound more like "dogma" to me... I don't mind, everyone can have the dogmas they like, I just would prefer clarification.
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Jürgen A. ErhardAug 28 '11 at 3:47

Um... The Bible is the basis for Sola Scriptura. That's sorta the point. Your definition (that no assistance can be used in interpreting what is written) seems a bit Humpty Dumptyish. Although I don't doubt some do follow such practices, it is certainly not commonplace...

...Indeed, Acts tells us of Philip the Evangelist offering assistance, and then assisting in interpreting Isiah's prophecy as a precursor to introducing the traveler to Christ. The writings of Paul consist of extensive interpretations of both the Old Testament and Christ's teachings. I would argue that evangelism is hardly even compatible with this notion of a purely personal interpretation...

Is this just a common Catholic prejudice or a misunderstanding?

Perhaps. My understanding is that Sola Scriptura requires only that for you to accept an interpretation - whether your own or someone else's - you must be able to connect it back to the scriptures. A law, tradition, or belief that cannot be found in or understandably derived from scripture therefore has no standing as Christian.

The idea of Sola Scriptura is that we base our beliefs off of scripture alone. I wouldn't say it's talking about how we interpret the Bible versus where we get our understanding about God from.

I don't think it is saying it is bad to be taught the correct interpretation by those who have spent their time studying the scriptures.

But at the same time, I think it mainly protects the believer from those who would try to add to scripture, or change it, or use it to manipulate. It protects in that way, because I can always pick up the Bible myself and see what it says for myself.

I always ask my Pastor for help interpreting the scripture, but I can also read it and make sure what he is saying is true, so I am not led astray. And further more, I can be sure that he isn't adding his own doctrines and beliefs into the mix, because people do add their own beliefs.

In summary:
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God"... we can't say that about individual men's interpretation. Our best bet is to have people skilled in doctrine to teach, AND have each individual study as well to make sure what they say, lines up with Scripture alone.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

+1 I like that you distinguish the where from the how. Ultimately, everything is up for interpretation, and so critics of Sola Scriptura who decry the personal interpretive nature of it seem a bit disingenuous. Sure, people can and will abuse Scripture (sometimes unintentionally), and in many cases, it will be due to "personal interpretations," but Sola Scriptura doesn't address that common foible so much as it defines an objective starting point of authority. The premise, too, is that as a whole, a thorough study will protect people from many honest misinterpretations.
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StevenJan 6 '12 at 15:08

+1 This answer is what I have said in my comment above and is the right approach for interpretation of scripture.
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Seek forgivenessNov 11 '13 at 7:27

You pose and interesting question, "Where did the idea come from that everyone can interpret the bible for themselves?"

An equally valid question is, "Where did the idea come from that any believer cannot interpret the Bible for himself? Every believer has the Spirit of God dwelling within him (1 Corinthians 6:19), so why would that believer have to be dependent on others, specifically a certain group of individuals, to understand the Scriptures?

The real question then is in determining where the burden of proof lies. Does it lie with those who claim only a select group of believers have the authority to interpret Scripture, or does it lie with those who claim any believer, within whom dwells the Spirit of God, can read and interpret Scripture.

Arguments for Sola Scriptura

The Bible written to All Believers

Most of the New Testament epistles are addressed not to clergy, but to all believers. The Gospels seem to be written for the benefit of both believers and unbelievers. From the earliest times of Christianity, the gospels and epistles were copied and passed on to be made available to a large audience. Therefore, we conclude that the Bible was intended to be read or heard by all people and not just a select group. Therefore, it would seem counter-intuitive to assume that all people were given the Word of God to read but then prevented from interpreting it.

"...To the churches of Galatia." Galatians 1:1
"...To the saints who are in Ephesus" Ephesians 1:1
"...To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi..." Philippians 1:1
"To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae..." Colossians 1:2

The Priesthood of All Believers

The New Testament also teaches that God has made all believers priests, and that there is no mediator between God and men except for Jesus Christ.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him
who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
ESV

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5 ESV

So, if there is no mediator between God and men anymore, then there would be no need for an interpreter between God and men either.

No Biblical Teaching for Restricted Interpretation

Also, there is no place in Scripture (at least of which I am aware) that specifically restricts the interpretation of Scripture to a select group. If it were really the intent of God to restrict the interpretation of Scripture to a select group of people, then He would certainly have made that blatantly obvious in the Scriptures themselves. Yet, since there is no such teaching in Scripture, the source for that teaching must be extra-Biblical itself.

Problems with Limited Authority for Interpretation

Assuming that God did, in fact, restrict interpretation of Scripture to a select few, then it seems the purpose for this would be to make sure error and heresy never crept in to the church. The result would be that throughout church history, God would always work through the select group of people to maintain sound doctrine.

However, when we look at the Catholic church, which holds to this doctrine, we do not find a consistent teaching throughout history. Many doctrines have changed, including the celibacy of the priesthood, indulgences, the language of mass, eating meat on Fridays, etc. So, if the teachings have changed over time, then it would seem that the leaders wrongly interpreted Scripture at various times through history, unless we hold to the idea that truth can change. Therefore, the basis of limited authority for interpretation is undermined by the variance in teachings by the select group over the 2000 years of church history.

Conclusion

So, 1) since the Bible is given to all people to read and hear, 2) the New Testament teaches the priesthood of all believers, 3) there is no specific teaching in Scripture that would restrict interpretation to a select group of people, and 4) history has shown that the teaching of the select group has been inconsistent and contradictory, the conclusion seems reasonable that all believers have the authority with the indwelling Holy Spirit as a guide to read and interpret Scriptures apart from any mediator or interpreter.

Your question is very valid, and I sincerely wish more of my "fellow Protestants" understood what I am about to explain.

The point of the Reformation was not to drive each individual Christian to interpret the Bible for themselves!

It is abundantly clear from Luther's writings that this was not his goal, but for some strange reason, this has become a defining characteristic in Protestantism. It is wrong, it is a tragedy, and it needs to be fixed.

Luther had a problem with the Catholic church making things up that were clearly contrary to the teachings of Scripture. His response was "Sola Scriptura!!" He just meant that the Church needed to go back to Scripture and stop teaching lies. The Church did not respond favorably, and so they "parted ways."

Luther did not have a problem with having a Church, or with spiritual authority, spiritual disciplines, learning from others, and so on. Not everything about the Catholic Church was evil!

The modern tendency for each individual Christian to interpret the Bible for themselves is the result of pride, post-Enlightenment individualism and rebellion, and lust (a desire to find a comfortable interpretation.)

The Biblical picture of the church is a body with many members, including teachers, which builds itself up (collectively) in love. We should be learning and growing together as brothers united in love. We should not be rejecting one another or seeking our own interpretations and truths. (We also should not be making things up!) We need to reject the corruption that has entered the church as a result of the Enlightenment. (See here for more on this.)

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness

Therefore the Bible is not used as the sole source of knowledge but rather as the rule by which other sources (including common sense and Church tradition) are judged. So if someone in your church (or here) says, "God says X" (e.g. we don't have to pax taxes) you can check what the Bible says (in this example, Romans 13:6-7).

I'm not really sure that's what Christians do. I'm a non-denominational Christian myself, and while I do believe in a direct and personal relationship with God, I do not believe I should use my own personal interpretation of the Bible as my sole source of foundational information upon which to base my faith.

I am a strong believer in listening to your pastor (or priest, in the case of Catholicism), as it is important to get a solid, educated viewpoint on the meaning and doctrinal nuances of the Bible. I also believe it is critically important for a true bible-believing faithful Christian to understand where the translation of the bible they study came from...the original language roots, and the original contextual meanings of critical words, the cultural context within which the bible was written, etc. A full and proper understanding of the scripture cannot be had in isolation, one needs the input of others, of those who are educated in theology and doctrine, as well as a fundamental understanding of where the bible comes from.

As a bible-believing Christian, I do not base my faith purely off of my own personal interpretation of the Bible...I base if off of a well-informed interpretation of the bible that is a combination of my own understanding, the educated understanding of my pastor, and many ongoing years of research in the source of my English translation of the bible.

@a_hardin: Yeah, I noticed that a minute ago as well... I was hoping that wouldn't happen until we went live.
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jristaAug 23 '11 at 20:23

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-1 Sola Scriptura is not about personal interpretation, it's about authority. The doctrine Sola Scriptura says that the Bible is the final and only authority on salvation. It does not prohibit, nor even discourage, consulting spiritual leaders or others for help in clarification.
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FlimzyAug 23 '11 at 20:49

@Flimzy: Yes, however that was not what the OP stated. As quoted: "As a Catholic, I'm often baffled by other Christians who base their faith purely off personal interpretation of the Bible (which is what I mean by Sola Scriptura)." Some Christians do live by their own interpretation, but I do not believe most do, hence my answer.
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jristaAug 23 '11 at 20:56

Although sola-scriptura principle sets up the boundaries as to which books should be considered as Scriptures and which books should not, the essence of this principle is not about books, but rather about the ideas that those books contain and whether or not the knowledge of and believing in those ideas is sufficient for humans to have eternal life, which is to be saved (sola-scriptura principle MUST NOT be taken in its literal sense, but rather should always be considered in its original intrinsic sense).

Therefore, if any new idea "pops up" that is contradictory to the original ideas described and presented by the apostles in their books, then the sola-scriptura principle exempts people from following that new idea.

In the New Testament there IS a basis for sola-scriptura principle (in its original sense!) :

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:8,9)

-- Paul is explicitly saying here that no other new ideas that are contrary to the ones that have already been preached must be followed;

"...just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures" (2 Pet. 3: 15, 16)

-- Peter here puts Paul's writings on the same level with other Scriptures, which means that even though at that time the Bible hadn't yet been compiled what the early apostles were preaching and writing about was considered by them to be of equal importance as all the other Scriptures (The Old Testament);

"Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are WRITTEN so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name ... Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written" (John 20:30, 31; 21:25)

-- while John recognized that no book will ever be able to give humans an exhaustive account of what Jesus had done, he still chose some of the acts performed by Jesus and put them on the paper stating that the knowledge of those acts and believing into them would be sufficient for the readers of his book to have life (i.e. to be saved);